Apple may be planning to expand from its smartphone, MacBook and music players by bringing its own netbook into the market. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company is preparing to release a netbook, a small portable laptop computer designed for wireless communication and Internet access, according to one vocal Piper Jaffray managing director and senior research analyst, Gene Munster.
Netbooks, as of this year, are categorized as notebook computers with a low-powered x86-compatible processor, small screens no larger than 10 inches, a small keyboard, equipped with wireless connectivity, under three pounds, and low cost.
Piper Jaffray, which is known for predictions that often spark debate, is predicting that Apple plans to release a seven-to-10-inch tablet PC in 2010. The computer would include a touchscreen, a proprietary CPU, and be priced at $500 to $700.
Munster is known for extreme predictions and recently sparked debate when he predicted Apple was planning two major news-grabbing events at the end of June, the return of CEO Steve Jobs from sick leave and the unveiling of a newly designed iPhone. Munster predicted the iPhone would debut at a special event at the end of June rather than at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in early June.
Analysts used several different factors to get their predictions. Jaffray considered various indications from component contacts in Asia, recent patents related to multi-touch sensitivity for complex computing devices, comments from Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook, Apple’s acquisition of P.A. Semi last year, and the hiring of chip experts.
Analysts aren’t the only ones predicting Apple’s intentions. After Apple hired former IBM executive Mark Papermaster, a chip expert, IBM filed a lawsuit against the executive. The lawsuit was based on several factors, but the greatest sticking point, according to IBM, was Apple’s acquisition of P.A. Semi, a direct IBM competitor.
Because of Apple’s…